Is your lawn thirsty? You can tell by the brown patches and brittle patches of dry grass that should be lush and green. Knowing when to water your lawn is just as important as providing the water it may desperately need.

When to Water Your Lawn?

In the morning. Even in the summer, the air is cooler in the morning hours, so there’s less chance of evaporation. Water has all day to saturate the soil and dry before night—when it’s prime time for wet lawns to invite disease.

If your schedule doesn’t allow a morning watering, set up a sprinkler system or wait till the weekend. You only really need to water your lawn about two times per week, depending on the type of soil. Hardy clay soils require less watering than sandy soil. Overwatering can lead to problems, such as fungus and shallow roots, so it’s best to know what kind of soil you’re dealing with.

How Much Water is Best?

Enough to moisten six inches of soil. The water needs to reach the root system for optimal grass growth. When water starts to run into your sidewalks, driveways, and down the street, you may be watering too much. If you haven’t been watering for very long, let the water saturate into the ground then start watering again. If the water still runs over, try aerating your lawn to make saturation easier.

There are a few ways to properly measure the amount of water your lawn is getting. If you have a rain gauge, and you’re measuring a few inches of rain per week already, there’s no need for additional watering.

An easy way to measure water usage from a sprinkler system is to place a one inch container close to where the water hits. Time how long it takes to fill the can half way and you can then estimate how long you’ll need to run the sprinkler to get the best results for your own lawn.

Keep a regular watering schedule so that you don’t stress your lawn from long periods of watering and long periods of drought. Any other questions? Contact the lawn specialists at Cardinal Lawns to discuss what watering techniques may benefit your particular lawn and garden.